Outdoor Cooking with a Reflector Oven

Strengthen families by inviting family members to participate in this activity.

Activate young men of quorum age by involving them in the activity and giving them specific assignments.

Young Women Areas of FocusRecreation and the world of nature-by learning camping skills.

Homemaking arts-by practicing outdoor cooking.

Personal and social refinement-by developing proper relationships with others.

People who can helpAdvisersParentsYouthCamping specialistsRecreation specialists

Things neededHandbook on camping skillsOne or more reflector ovensFood (Meatloaf, casseroles, biscuits, pie, and cake all cook well in a reflector oven.)Wood and matches (Reflector ovens require a lot of wood.)

How to do it1. Build a fire with flames about as high as the reflector oven. Coals will not work.

2. Place the reflector oven about 6 inches (15cm) to 1 foot (30cm) from the fire. You can vary the heat by moving the oven.

3. Put your meal in the reflector oven. Cooking time varies, but is generally about the same as that in a kitchen oven. You can cook many things, including meatloaf, casserole, cakes, biscuits, and so forth.

Pot Roasta. Melt shortening or suet and sear a pot roast on all sides. Season the roast and add one cup (.235 liters) of hot water.b. Put the lid on the dutch oven and place it on hot coals. Put hot coals on the lid and cook the roast about 21/2 hours.c. About one hour before the roast is done, add one peeled potato, carrot, and onion per camper.

Baked Applesa. Wash and core a large apple for each camper. Fill the core hole with sugar and cinnamon.b. Put the apples on a greased metal plate and add 1/2 cup (.1175 liters) water to the plate.c. Place the plate on three small rocks inside the dutch oven. Cover, place on the coals, place coals on the lid, and cook for 30 minutes.

Biscuitsa. Preheat oven.b. Cut biscuits about 1/2 inch (12.5 mm) thick and place on the bottom of the ungreased dutch oven. (Leave a space between biscuits.)c. Place on coals and place coals on top of the oven. Cook for 10-15 minutes.

How to do it1. Build a fire and let it burn until there is a good bed of hot coals.

2. Place a thin piece of meat and sliced vegetables on a piece of tin foil and season the food. Wrap and tightly seal the package by folding over the edges several times.

3. Bury the package in the coals and cook for 15-20 minutes. (Do not cook it in the open flames and do not make holes in the package.)

4. While the main course is cooking, prepare dessert. Remove a piece of the stem end of the apple. Remove as much of the core as possible. Fill the apple with sugar and cinnamon and replace the stem end piece of the apple.

5. Wrap the apple in foil and place it upright in the coals. Cook it about five minutes.